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Sova assessment: every task explained
One combined assessment mixing ability, situational and personality items.
Used by: Bain (and many more).
Tasks
Numerical Reasoning
Measures: Numerical reasoning. Length: 9 rounds (reported by candidates).
Read the table or chart and pick the right answer from five. A calculator is allowed, as in the real tests.
Format: sets of three questions on one table or chart. Timing: no visible timer, but each question is timed and Sova scores how quickly and how accurately you answer, separately. Tactics: read the whole table once per set, since the next questions reuse it. Do not rush into errors: a fast wrong answer only helps pace.
About 9 items in 3 sets (reported).
Verbal Reasoning
Measures: Verbal reasoning. Length: 9 rounds (reported by candidates).
Read the passage, then say whether the statement is True, False or Cannot say from the passage alone.
Format: a passage with three statements to judge true, false or cannot say. Timing: time-recorded per question, no countdown. Tactics: decide from the passage alone; when a statement uses a stronger word than the text (always, all, caused), it is usually false or cannot say. Keep moving: speed is scored alongside accuracy.
About 9 items in 3 sets (reported).
Logical Reasoning
Measures: Abstract reasoning. Length: 9 rounds (reported by candidates).
Each box changes the row of shapes in one way, shown by example. Pass the row through the boxes in order and pick the result.
Format: figures that change by rules you infer, then apply. Timing: time-recorded per item. Tactics: name each rule in words before applying it ("swaps colours", "moves the first to the end") and apply rules in the order shown. Cross out options that break the rule you are surest of.
Situational Judgement
Measures: Judgement. Length: 8 rounds (reported by candidates).
Read each workplace scenario and judge the responses as an effective graduate would. No calculation, no trick: think about the person who owns the problem.
Format: workplace scenarios where you pick the most and least effective response. Timing: no countdown. Tactics: the best response solves the problem at the right level, involves the right people early and is honest; the worst usually hides a problem or breaks a rule. Answer as the employer would want a new graduate to act.
Practise
Practise these in Agisse — invite-only beta.